Construction in unincorporated Morgan County is perhaps a little higher than last year, although residential construction seems a little behind last year.

That was the message from Planning and Zoning Administrator John Crosthwait during Tuesday's meeting of the Board of Morgan County Commissioners.

In the first six months of 2013, six single-family homes were built in the unincorporated part of the county. In total for 2012, 18 homes were built, which seems to show that kind of construction is slower, he said.

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However, six commercial buildings were constructed this year so far, which is already above the five built in all of 2012, Crosthwait noted. Those six included two churches, a storage building, a cell tower modification and a cell tower construction.

Overall, the county issued 45 building permits in the first six months of this year, compared to a total of 79 building permits for 2012, he said.

The total construction cost for the site-built homes was $1.4 million, with an average cost of $236,139.

The total construction cost for the commercial buildings was $1.1 million, with an average cost of $185,000.

Three manufactured homes were also put into place at a total cost of $399,000 for an average cost of $133,000.

The planning and zoning department issued seven minor subdivisions and seven exemptions so far this year.

It seems that the total number of parcels created is on track with the prior five years, after the downturn in the housing market and after the recession hit, Crosthwait said. That has not recovered from the downturn yet.

In 2006, the county created 170 parcels, but that was largely due to large planned developments, he said.

Fireworks

The commissioners approved a fireworks display for Edward's Right Price Market for Aug. 10.

This will celebrate the store's 80th anniversary.

The Fort Morgan Fire Department approved allowing the display in the fields south of the market.

Roads

Roads Supervisor John Goodman told the board his department is putting in wider cattle guards to replace older ones in some areas.

His crews are also collecting road millings from local highway construction at on and off ramps to recycle for use on other roads, he said.

They are also cleaning up roads after the latest storm.

Board Chairwoman Laura Teague said the roads seem to shed water better after the county started to shape them to do that.

New carbide blades on the road graders seem to work better for shaping the roads, Goodman said.

The board also approved:

Renewal of a hotel and restaurant liquor license for the Country Steak Out.

A permit allowing the Morgan County Quality Water District to bore in Morgan County Road W about 0.4 mile east of MCR 15 to install water service at a new residence on MCR W.

Waiving the fees for the use of the Morgan County Fairgrounds by Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center on Oct. 12.

Waiving the fees for use of the Morgan County Fairgrounds by the Independence Institute on July 17.